Clan: Red Dragon 🔴

Category: Beef Recipes

Emberstone Beef Ragu

Within the lava-carved kitchens of Emberstone Hold, Red Dragon cooks are famous for transforming simple cuts of beef into rich feasts worthy of legend. This slow-simmered Beef Ragu combines tender shredded beef with tomatoes, herbs, and red wine to create a deeply satisfying sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich and comforting
Incredible depth of flavour
Perfect for feeding a crowd
Great for batch cooking
Even better the next day

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

3 Hours

Serves

Ingredients

For the Ragu

1kg beef chuck or braising steak
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
2 celery sticks, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato purée
400ml red wine
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
500ml beef stock
2 bay leaves
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

To Serve

500g pappardelle or tagliatelle
Fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese

Method

Step 1 – Prepare the Beef

Pat the beef dry.

Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 2 – Build the Forge

Heat the olive oil in a large casserole dish.

Brown the beef on all sides.

Remove and set aside.

Step 3 – Awaken the Kitchen

Add the onion, carrot, and celery.

Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.

Add the garlic.

Cook for 1 minute.

Step 4 – Summon the Ragu

Stir in the tomato purée.

Cook for 1 minute.

Pour in the red wine.

Simmer for 3–4 minutes.

Step 5 – Create the Cauldron

Add the tomatoes, beef stock, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Return the beef to the pot.

Step 6 – Slow Cook the Treasure

Cover and cook at 160°C (140°C fan) for 2½–3 hours.

The beef should be fork-tender.

Step 7 – Shred the Beef

Remove the beef.

Shred using two forks.

Return to the sauce.

Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes if required.

Step 8 – Serve

Cook the pasta according to packet instructions.

Toss with the ragu.

Finish with parsley and Parmesan.

🐉 Dragon’s Tip

Pappardelle is the ideal pasta for ragu because the wide ribbons hold the rich sauce beautifully.

🗺️ Adventurer’s Notes

🍷 Forge Master’s Upgrade

Use a full-bodied red wine for deeper flavour.

🧀 Warrior’s Feast

Finish with plenty of Parmesan and garlic bread.

🌶️ Fire Dragon Alliance

Add chilli flakes for a gentle kick.

🍄 Hunter’s Variation

Add mushrooms during the final hour of cooking.

💰 Market Day Saver

Chuck steak provides excellent flavour while remaining budget-friendly.

🔥 Campfire Method

Cook in a Dutch oven over low coals for authentic Red Dragon flavour.

📜 Lore of the Hoard

The cooks of Emberstone Hold discovered long ago that patience could transform even the toughest cuts of beef into a feast fit for champions. During winter gatherings, giant cauldrons of ragu simmer throughout the day while stories of battles and dragon hunts fill the halls. By nightfall, the aroma alone is enough to draw hungry adventurers from miles away. 🔴🐉